Special to Clay Today
ORANGE PARK - Gordon Chevrolet announced today it will be investing support in Orange Park through a partnership with Bel Med Athletic Association. Gordon Chevrolet will provide baseball equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation, and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 in funds through a Chevy vehicle giveaway-fundraiser. The effort by Gordon Chevrolet is part of the Chevy Youth Baseball initiative sweeping the nation from March through July 2010.
“Chevrolet has a long history with baseball at the national level. We wanted to bring that excitement and commitment to youth baseball, in the communities where our customers and their families live,” said Nathan Potratz, for Gordon Chevrolet. “Youth baseball has always played an important role in Orange Park so we are thrilled to support our kids in a meaningful way.”
Gordon Chevrolet will present Bel Med Athletic Association with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach’s clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts. The sponsorship includes clinics with experienced instructors from former MLB/MILB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.
In addition, a one-time monetary donation check will be presented by Gordon Chevrolet to Bel Med Athletic Association. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Baseball Fundraiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation, and the league will keep 100% of proceeds raised. At the end of the fundraiser, there will be five winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Malibu vehicle of choice (up to $30,000 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.
Chevrolet is recognized on the national level as the “Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball.” “At some point, we hope the kids or their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” said Potratz. “Our vehicles are ideal for transporting families, teams and their gear.”
Chevrolet has expanded its support of MLB to the youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. The Chevy Youth Baseball program began in Atlanta in 2006. Now in its fifth season, the grass roots initiative has activation in more than 20 states and seeks to establish a positive connection between local dealers and the communities they serve. Since its beginning, more than $7 million dollars has been raised by Chevy for community youth baseball leagues.
For more information about Chevy Youth Baseball, please visit www.youthsportswired.com
March 18th 2010 - 8:07PM